Manifold apparatus

ABSTRACT

Manifold apparatus comprising a manifold body and a plurality of fluid adapters, in which the manifold body comprises a primary fluid inlet, one or more secondary fluid inlets and a fluid outlet, in which the one or more secondary fluid inlets and the fluid outlet are provided with the first part of a connection means, in which the plurality of fluid adapters are provided with the second part of said connection means and are adapted to be releasably fitted to the one or more secondary fluid inlets and/or the fluid outlet, and in which the primary fluid inlet is provided with the second part of said connection means and is adapted to be releasably fitted to the fluid outlet of another manifold body with which it is usable.

This invention relates to manifold apparatus for use particularly, butnot exclusively, to mix chemicals and water for use in industrialwashing machines.

Domestic and industrial dishwashers and laundry washing machines use oneor more different chemical substances to wash and rinse the objectsplaced in them. Such chemical substances can be detergents, soaps, rinseaids and so on, and are usually provided in a concentrated form to bediluted in water. In most machines these chemical substances are placedin a tray or tank and are circulated into the washing system viainternal plumbing. Each particular substance is circulated atpre-determined intervals according to a washing and rinsing cycle.

However, the quantity of chemical substance used is not usually wellcontrolled, and the same amount is often provided each time, whendifferent wash cycles actually require differing amounts. These problemsare exacerbated when the machines are industrial in size, and when largenumbers of such machines are taken into consideration. Therefore, it isknown to provide industrial washing machines with improved aftermarketchemical dispensing systems.

Such systems comprise external pumps provided with a source of chemical,often from a large container. The pumps are integrated into themachine's control system so they operate when the machine requires aninput of a chemical substance. The chemicals are mixed with water todilute them before they are provided to the machine.

In order to facilitate this arrangement various bits of plumbing arerequired, in particular to direct the chemicals to the water supply, andthen to direct the mixture to the machine. In addition, a number ofvalves are required to prevent backflow of the mixture down the chemicallines or down the water supply line. As such, quite complex plumbingmust be constructed from various components, each of which needs to suitthe washing machine in question. The arrangement may become even morecomplex if space is limited.

A further problem is that it is not possible to change the arrangementquickly and easily, which may be necessary if different types ofchemicals are provided, in particular if they require larger line sizes.Changes are also required if further chemical substance inlets are to beadded into the system.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of the aboveproblems.

Therefore, according to the present invention manifold apparatuscomprises a manifold body and a plurality of fluid adapters, in whichthe manifold body comprises a primary fluid inlet, one or more secondaryfluid inlets and a fluid outlet, in which the one or more secondaryfluid inlets and the fluid outlet are provided with the first part of aconnection means, in which the plurality of fluid adapters are providedwith the second part of said connection means and are adapted to bereleasably fitted to the one or more secondary fluid inlets and/or thefluid outlet, and in which the primary fluid inlet is provided with thesecond part of said connection means and is adapted to be releasablyfitted to the fluid outlet of another manifold body with which it isusable.

(The term “connection means” used above does not refer to a single meanscomprising just one male part and one female part. It is intended thatthis term should refer to a type of connection means in which any maleconnector of that type can connect to any female connector of thattype.)

Therefore, the invention provides a manifold body which can use the samefluid adapters to connect to chemical lines and an output line. Further,those adapters can be fitted directly to the manifold body without theneed of any further fixture components. In addition, the inventionprovides a manifold body which can connect directly to another of thesame construction, so a composite manifold apparatus can be constructedwith any number of manifold bodies, and therefore any number ofsecondary fluid inlets.

It will be appreciated that the connection means can be any known typeof connector system. However, in a preferred construction the connectionmeans comprises a bayonet connector. The first part of the connectionmeans can comprise the slot part of the bayonet connector, and secondpart can comprise the pin part of the bayonet connector.

Preferably the first part of the bayonet connector can comprise aconnector body with an annular opening provided with a pair of opposedL-shaped slots, and the second part of the bayonet connector cancomprise an annular boss adapted to fit axially into the annular openingand be rotatable therein. Further, the annular boss can be provided witha pair of pins on an outer surface thereof adapted to fit into theL-shaped slots.

The L-shaped slots can each comprise a circumferentially extending innersection comprising an upper edge and a terminal end. The upper edge canbe arranged at an angle to an outer edge of the annular opening, suchthat the distance between said upper edge and said outer edge of theannular opening increases towards said terminal end, and a pin indentcan be provided in said upper edge at said terminal end. As such, whenthe pins are fitted into the L-shaped slots and the annular boss isrotated, the annular boss is drawn into the annular opening until thepins slot into the pin indents. The position of the L-shaped slots andthe pins can be arranged such that an end of the annular boss is forcedagainst an inner end of the annular opening just prior to the positionof the pin indents, and the annular boss and/or the connector body canbe constructed from a resilient material, such that one or other of thecomponents flexes to allow the pins to travel into the pin indents andbe resiliently held therein.

In one construction the circumferentially extending inner section cancomprise an aperture formed in the side of the connector body, and eachL-shaped slot can further comprise an axially extending inlet sectioncomprising a trough formed in a surface of the annular opening. Thisparticular construction is preferred because it is easier tomanufacture.

The connection means can be provided with a fluid seal. The annular bosscan be provided with a circumferential slot between the pins and the endof the annular boss, which slot can carry an O-ring seal.

Preferably, the one or more secondary fluid inlets can be provided withnon-return valves when a fluid adapter is fitted thereon. In order tofacilitate this, the one or more secondary fluid inlets can comprise acylindrical valve chamber disposed inside the annular opening, which isprovided with an aperture at an inner end thereof. The fluid adapterscan be provided with a valve seat which can be disposed at an outer endof the valve chamber when a fluid adapter is fitted on a secondary fluidinlet. A valve member can be disposed in the valve chamber, which cancomprise a ball held against the valve seat by a coil. spring, which canbe held in compression inside the valve chamber between the secondaryfluid inlet and the fluid adapter.

In one construction, the manifold apparatus can comprise an inletadapter comprising the first part of said connection means at a firstside thereof, and the first part of a second connection means at asecond side thereof. The purpose of the inlet adapter is to allow themanifold body to be fitted to a solenoid valve controlled mains watersupply. The inlet adapter can be adapted to be releasably fitted to theprimary fluid inlet at said first side.

In order to prevent backflow out of the manifold body, the primary fluidinlet can be provided with a non-return valve when the inlet adapter isfitted thereon. In order to facilitate this, the annular boss of thesecond part of the connection means provided at the primary fluid inletcan have a valve chamber therein, which can be provided with an apertureat an inner end thereof. The inlet adapter can be provided with a valveseat which can be disposed at an outer end of the valve chamber when theinlet adapter is fitted to the primary fluid inlet. A valve member canbe disposed in the valve chamber, which can comprise a shuttle heldagainst the valve seat by a coil spring, which can be held incompression inside the valve chamber between the primary fluid inlet andthe inlet adapter.

The plurality of fluid adapters can each comprise a hose tail adapted tobe fitted to a hose line with which the manifold apparatus is used.Preferably, the plurality of fluid adapters can comprise fluid adapterswith hose tails of different sizes.

In one construction, the manifold body can be provided with mountingmeans adapted to allow it to be mounted to a surface, for example, awall.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment willnow be described by way of example and with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of manifold apparatus according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a exploded perspective view of the manifold apparatus as shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a part of the manifoldapparatus as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a composite manifold apparatuscomprising manifold apparatus like that shown in FIG. 1;

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a manifold apparatus 1 comprises a manifoldbody 2 and a plurality of fluid adapters 3 (of which there are threevarieties, 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c). The manifold body 2 comprises a primaryfluid inlet 4, two secondary fluid inlets 5, and a fluid outlet 6. Thesecondary fluid inlets 5 and the fluid outlet 6 are provided with thefirst part 7 of a connection means, and the fluid adapters 3 areprovided with the second part 8 of said connection means and are adaptedto be releasably fitted to the secondary fluid inlets 5 and/or the fluidoutlet 6. The primary fluid inlet 4 is provided with the second part 8of said connection means and is adapted to be releasably fitted to thefluid outlet 6 of another manifold body 2 with which it is usable, asdescribed further below.

The manifold body 2 comprises a central annular fluid passageway 9(which is visible in FIG. 3) leading from the primary fluid inlet 4 tothe fluid outlet 6. Arranged normal to the fluid passageway 9 are thetwo fluid inlets 5. As such secondary fluids can be pumped into thefluid passageway 9 through the secondary fluid inlets 5, and mixed witha primary fluid passing therethrough, so a fluid mixture can exit themanifold body 2 through the fluid outlet 6.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first part 7 of the connection means comprisesa connector body 10 with an annular opening 11 provided with a pair ofopposed L-shaped slots 12. (In the case of the secondary fluid inlets 5,the connector body 10 is an annular boss which defines the annularopening 11, but in the case of the fluid outlet 6, the annular opening11 is recessed into the manifold body 2, so the connector body 10essentially comprises that end of the manifold body 2.)

Each slot 12 comprises a circumferentially extending inner section inthe form of an aperture 13 formed in the side of the connector body 10,and an axially extending inlet section in the form of a trough 14 formedin a surface 15 of the annular opening 11.

The aperture 13 comprises an upper edge 16 and a terminal end 17. Theupper edge 16 is arranged at a slight angle to an outer edge 18 of theannular opening 11, such that the distance between said upper edge 16and said outer edge 18 increases towards said terminal end 17. A pinindent 19 is provided in said upper edge 16 at the terminal end 17.(These particular features are indicated in FIG. 2 in relation to thefirst part of the connection means 7 provided at the fluid outlet 6, asthat is where they are most visible in FIG. 2, but the same arrangementis provided at each of the first parts of the connection means 7).

The second part 8 of the connection means comprises an annular boss 20adapted to fit axially into the annular opening 11 and be rotatabletherein. The annular boss 20 is provided with a pair of pins 21 (onlyone of which is visible in FIG. 2) on an outer surface 22 thereof, whichare adapted to fit into the L-shaped slots 12. The pins 21 are situatedon the annular boss 20 such that when they travel through the apertures13, the end 23 of the annular boss 20 is forced against an inner end 24of the annular opening 11, and the annular boss 20 flexes slightly toallow the pins 21 to travel through the apertures 13 and slot into thepin indents 19, where they are resiliently held in place due to thecompression of the annular boss 20. The annular boss 20 is provided witha circumferential trough 25, between the pins 21 and the end 23 of theannular boss 20, which trough 25 carries an O-ring seal (not shown).(The features of the second part of the connection means 8 are indicatedin FIG. 2 in relation to the second part of the connection means 8provided on one of the fluid adapters 3 c, but the same arrangement isprovided at each of the second parts of the connection means 8.)

The secondary fluid inlets 5 are provided with non-return valves when afluid adapter 3 is fitted thereon, and these are best explained withreference to FIG. 3. The secondary fluid inlets 5 are provided with acylindrical valve chamber 27 disposed inside the connector body 10,which is provided with an aperture 28 at an inner end 29 thereof. Thefluid adapters 3 are provided with a valve seat 30 which is disposed atan outer end 31 of the valve chamber 27 when a fluid adapter 3 is fittedon a secondary fluid inlet 5 as shown in FIG. 3. A ball valve 32 isdisposed inside the valve chamber 27, and it is held against the valveseat 30 by a coil spring 33, which is held in compression inside thevalve chamber 27 between the secondary fluid inlet 5 and the fluidadapter 3.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the manifold apparatus 1 further comprises aninlet adapter 34 which is adapted to allow the manifold body 2 to befitted to a solenoid valve 35. The inlet adapter 34 comprises the firstpart of the connection means 7 at a first side 36 thereof, so it can bereleasably connected to the second part 8 provided at the primary fluidinlet 4. The inlet adapter 34 also comprises the first part 37 of asecond connection means at a second side 38 thereof. This secondconnection means is a screw cap adapted to be releasably fitted to ascrew thread 39 provided on the solenoid valve 35. The screw threadsused here are a standard fitment size, so the manifold apparatus 1 canbe attached to existing plumbing components.

The primary fluid inlet 4 is provided with a non-return valve when theinlet adapter 34 is fitted thereon. The annular boss 20 forming a partof the second part of the connection means 8 provided at the primaryfluid inlet 4, defines a valve chamber 40 therein provided with anaperture 41 at an inner end 42 hereof. The inlet adapter 34 is providedwith a valve seat 43 which is disposed at an outer end. 44 of the valvechamber 40 when the inlet adapter 34 is fitted to the primary fluidinlet 4. A shuttle valve 45 is disposed in the valve chamber 40, and itis held against the valve seat 43 by a coil spring 46, which is held incompression inside the valve chamber 40 between the primary fluid inlet4 and the inlet adapter 34.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fluid adapters 3 each comprise ahose tail 47, which is adapted to be fitted to a hose line (not shown)with which the manifold apparatus 1 is used. The hose tails 47 can bedifferent sizes to fit different sizes of hose line. In FIG. 1 the twofluid adapters are different sizes, a first 3 a having a 10 mm sizedbore, and a second 3 b having a 12 mm sized bore. This is indicated byindicia 48 provided on the fluid adapters 3. In FIG. 2, the fluidadapters 3 c both have an 8 mm sized bore. It will be appreciated thatthe types of fluid adapters used will be determined by the requirementsat each individual site, but it is important to note the great ease withwhich they can be changed if required.

The manifold body 2 is provided with mounting means, in the form ofapertures 49, which are adapted to allow it to be mounted to a surfacein use, for example a wall.

In use the manifold apparatus 1 is constructed as required for theassociated infrastructure, and can be constructed in various waysaccording to requirements, and in particular according to the number ofchemicals to be mixed with water passing through the manifold body 2. Iftwo chemicals are to be mixed with water, the apparatus is arranged asfollows.

The inlet adapter 34 is fitted to the primary fluid inlet 4, with theshuttle valve 45 and coil spring 46 inserted between the components. Thefirst part of the connection means 7 provided on the inlet adapter 34 isbrought together with the second part of the connection means 8 providedat the primary fluid inlet 4, with the pins 21 aligned with the troughs14. The pins 21 pass through the troughs 14 and enter the aperture 13,then the inlet adapter 34 is rotated on the annular boss 20 such thatthe pins 21 travel down the aperture 13. As this occurs, the annularboss 20 is forced further into the annular opening 11 and is compressed,due to the angle of the upper edge 16 of the aperture 13. When the pins21 reach the terminal end 17 of the aperture 13, they slot into the pinindents 19, and the inlet adapter 34 is held in place on the manifoldbody 2, as shown in FIG. 3.

The inlet adapter 34 is then fitted to solenoid 35, by screwing thescrew cap 37 onto the screw thread 39. The solenoid is connected in aknown way to a mains water supply.

Two fluid adapters 3 with suitably sized hose tails 47 are then chosento suit the hose line sizes at the particular site, and fitted to thesecondary fluid inlets 5, with ball valves 32 and coil springs 33inserted between the components. The second part of the connection means8 provided on each fluid adapter 3 is brought together with one of thefirst parts of the connection means 7 provided at one of the secondaryfluid inlets 5, with the pins 21 aligned with the troughs 14. The pins21 pass through the troughs 14 and enter the aperture 13, then annularboss 20 is rotated such that the pins 21 travel down the aperture 13. Asthis occurs, the annular boss 20 is forced further into the annularopening 11 and is compressed, due to the angle of the upper edge 16 ofthe aperture 13. When the pins 21 reach the terminal end 17 of theaperture 13, they slot into the pin indents 19, and the fluid adapter 3in question is held in place on the manifold body 2, as shown in FIGS. 1and 3.

Chemical supply hose lines (not shown) are then fitted to the fluidadapters 3 as appropriate, by forcing them onto the hose tails 47.

One further fluid adapter 3 with a suitably sized hose tail 47 is thenfitted to the fluid outlet 6. The second part of the connection means 8provided on the fluid adapter 3 is brought together with the first partsof the connection means 7 provided at the fluid outlet 6, with the pins21 aligned with the troughs 14. The pins 21 pass through the troughs 14and enter the aperture 13, then annular boss 20 is rotated such that thepins 21 travel down the aperture 13. As this occurs, the annular boss 20is forced further into the annular opening 11 and is compressed, due tothe angle of the upper edge 16 of the aperture 13. When the pins 21reach the terminal end 17 of the aperture 13, they slot into the pinindents 19, and the fluid adapter 3 is held in place on the manifoldbody 2.

A hose line to an associated washing machine (not shown) is then fittedto the fluid adapter 3, by forcing it onto the hose tail 47.

The completed arrangement can then be fitted to a wall or other suitablesurface using bolts passed through the apertures 49.

When constructed as described above, O ring seals (not shown) are fittedin the troughs 25 on the annular bosses 20, to ensure that the solenoid35 and the various hose lines (not shown) are connected in a sealedmanner to the manifold body 2.

In use the associated washing machine may need a supply of water, or amixture of water and one or more chemicals, at different times. If onlywater is required, the solenoid 35 is operated to allow water to enterthe manifold body 2. The water is provided at sufficient pressure toforce the shuttle valve 45 off the valve seat 43 against the force ofthe coil spring 46, thereby allowing water to pass. The water thentravels through the fluid passageway 9 and out through the fluid adapter3 provided at the fluid outlet 6. No passing water can enter thechemical hose lines (not shown) due to the presence of the non-returnball valves 32.

When one or more chemicals need to be mixed with the passing water,associated pumps (not shown) pump the chemicals down the chemical hoselines (not shown) into one or both of the fluid adapters 3 fitted to thesecondary fluid inlets 5. The chemicals are pumped with sufficientpressure to force the ball valves 32 off the valve seats 30 against theforce of the coil springs 33, thereby allowing the chemical substance topass. Once in the fluid passageway 9, the chemical substances mix withthe water, and the mixture travels out through the fluid adapter 3provided at the fluid outlet 6.

If only one chemical substance is introduced to the manifold body inthis way, the resulting mixture cannot enter the other chemical hoseline (not shown) due to the presence of the non-return ball valve 32.

In the event that a chemical substance is pumped into the manifold bodywhen the solenoid has not opened to allow water to enter, then thechemical substance cannot enter the solenoid 35 due to the presence ofthe non-return shuttle valve 45. In addition, if water, a chemicalsubstance or a mixture remains inside the manifold body 2 after use, itcannot enter either the solenoid 35 or the chemical supply hose lines(not shown) due to the presence of all the non-return valves.

If during the life of the manifold apparatus 1 a different chemicalsubstance has to be used which requires a larger hose line, andsubsequently a fluid adapter 3 with a larger hose tail 47 than iscurrently fitted, it is a simple matter to change one fluid adapter 3for another one. The fluid adapter 3 which is no longer required ispushed inwards and rotated anti-clockwise to release it from themanifold body 2, in a reverse of the above described process. Areplacement fluid adapter 3 can then be fitted as described above.

The above described arrangement is obviously suitable if one or twochemicals have to be mixed with water and provided to an associatedwashing machine. However, the manifold body 2 is also adapted to form apart of a larger manifold apparatus if required, and such an arrangementis shown in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4 two manifold bodies 2 and 2 a are fitted together to form amanifold apparatus 50 with four secondary fluid inlets 5. To fit the twomanifold bodies 2 and 2 a together, the second part of the connectionmeans 8 provided at the primary fluid inlet 4 of manifold body 2 a isbrought together with the first part of the connection means 7 providedat the fluid outlet 6 of manifold body 2, with the pins 21 aligned withthe troughs 14. The pins 21 pass through the troughs 14 and enter theaperture 13, then annular boss 20 is rotated such that the pins 21travel down the aperture 13. As this occurs, the annular boss 20 isforced further into the annular opening 11 and is compressed, due to theangle of the upper edge 16 of the aperture 13. When the pins 21 reachthe terminal end 17 of the aperture 13, they slot into the pin indents19, and manifold body 2 a is held in place on manifold body 2.

As such, the manifold bodies 2 and 2 a form a single manifold body witha fluid passageway 9 and four secondary fluid inlets 5. It will beappreciated that it is possible to connect any number of manifold bodiestogether to create a single manifold body with any number of secondaryfluid inlets 5.

With regard to manifold apparatus 50, once the manifold bodies 2 and 2 ahave been connected together, the inlet adapter 34 and five fluidadapters 3 are connected thereto in the same manner as described abovein relation to manifold apparatus 1. The manifold apparatus 50 is thenconnected to the solenoid 35, and chemical hose lines (not shown) areconnected to the hose tails 47 of the fluid adapters 3 fitted to thesecondary fluid inlets 5, and a hose line to an associated washingmachine (not shown) is connected to the hose tail 47 of the fluidadapter 3 fitted to the fluid outlet 6 of manifold body 2 a.

The fluid adapters 3 are chosen such that their hose tails 47 are thecorrect size for the associated hose lines (not shown). In the case ofmanifold body 50, the first two secondary fluid inlets are provided withfluid adapters with 8 mm bores, the third secondary fluid inlet isprovided with a fluid adapter with a 10 mm bore, and the fourthsecondary fluid inlet is provided with a fluid adapter with a 12 mmbore. The fluid outlet 6 is provided with a fluid adapter with a 10 mmbore.

In use the manifold apparatus 50 operates in the same manner as manifoldapparatus 1 described above, except that more chemical substances can bemixed with the water travelling through the fluid passageway 9.

It will be appreciated that the fluid adapters 3 can be readily changedif required, as with manifold apparatus 1, but also that manifold body 2a can easily be removed if no longer required, or a further manifoldbody can easily be added if required.

In addition to this, it is also possible to fit a manifold body 2 to asecondary fluid inlet 5, because the second part of the connection means8 provided at the primary fluid inlet 4 can be fitted to the first partof the connection means 7 provided at each secondary fluid inlet 5. Suchan arrangement may be suitable if space is particularly limited, andthere is insufficient room to accommodate a long manifold apparatus likethat shown in FIG. 3. If such an arrangement were necessary two manifoldbodies are capable of providing three secondary fluid inlets, but itwould require three manifold bodies to provide four secondary fluidinlets, with two in parallel connected to the secondary fluid inlets ofa third.

The above described embodiments can be altered without departing fromthe scope of claim 1. For example, in other alternative embodiments (notshown) the manifold bodies comprise different numbers of secondary fluidinlets. In particular, in one alternative embodiment (not shown) themanifold body comprises only one secondary fluid inlet, and when aplurality of chemical substances need to be mixed with water a number ofmanifold bodies are connected together. In another alternativeembodiment (not shown) the manifold bodies comprise three secondaryfluid inlets. In yet other alternative embodiments (not shown) aplurality of manifold bodies are provided which have different numbersof secondary fluid inlets provided thereon to provide the maximumflexibility.

Therefore, the invention provides a manifold body which uses the samefluid adapters to connect to chemical lines and an output line. Further,those adapters can be fitted directly to the manifold body without theneed of any further fixture components. In addition, the inventionprovides a manifold body which can connect directly to another of thesame construction, so a composite manifold apparatus can be constructedwith any number of manifold bodies, and therefore any number ofsecondary fluid inlets.

1. Manifold apparatus comprising a manifold body and a plurality offluid adapters, in which the manifold body comprises a primary fluidinlet, one or more secondary fluid inlets and a fluid outlet, in whichthe one or more secondary fluid inlets and the fluid outlet are providedwith the first part of a connection means, in which the plurality offluid adapters are provided with the second part of said connectionmeans and are adapted to be releasably fitted to the one or moresecondary fluid inlets and/or the fluid outlet, and in which the primaryfluid inlet is provided with the second part of said connection meansand is adapted to be releasably fitted to the fluid outlet of anothermanifold body with which it is usable.
 2. Manifold apparatus as claimedin claim 1 in which the connection means comprises a bayonet connector.3. Manifold apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the first part ofthe connection means comprises the slot part of the bayonet connector,and in which the second part of the connection means comprises the pinpart of the bayonet connector.
 4. Manifold apparatus as claimed in claim3 in which the first part of the bayonet connector comprises a connectorbody with an annular opening provided with a pair of opposed L-shapedslots, in which the second part of the bayonet connector comprises anannular boss adapted to fit axially into the annular opening and berotatable therein, in which the annular boss is provided with a pair ofpins on an outer surface thereof adapted to fit into the L-shaped slots.5. Manifold apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the L-shaped slotseach comprise a circumferentially extending inner section comprising anupper edge and a terminal end, in which said upper edge is arranged atan angle to an outer edge of the annular opening such that the distancebetween said upper edge and said outer edge of the annular openingincreases towards said terminal end, and in which a pin indent isprovided in said upper edge at said terminal end.
 6. Manifold apparatusas claimed in claim 5 in which the circumferentially extending innersection comprises an aperture formed in the side of the connector body,and in which each L-shaped slot further comprises an axially extendinginlet section comprising a trough formed in a surface of the annularopening.
 7. Manifold apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which theannular boss is provided with a circumferential slot between the pinsand an end of the annular boss, which slot carries an O-ring seal. 8.Manifold apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the one or moresecondary fluid inlets are provided with non-return valves when a fluidadapter is fitted thereon.
 9. Manifold apparatus as claimed in claim 8in which the one or more secondary fluid inlets comprise a cylindricalvalve chamber disposed inside the annular opening, and provided with anaperture at an inner end thereof, in which the fluid adapters areprovided with a valve seat which is disposed at an outer end of thevalve chamber when a fluid adapter is fitted on a secondary fluid inlet,and in which a valve member is disposed in the valve chamber. 10.Manifold apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which the valve membercomprises a ball held against the valve seat by a coil spring, in whichthe coil spring is held in compression inside the valve chamber betweenthe secondary fluid inlet and the fluid adapter.
 11. Manifold apparatusas claimed in claim 10 in which the manifold apparatus further comprisesan inlet adapter comprising the first part of said connection means at afirst side thereof, and the first part of a second connection means at asecond side thereof, in which the inlet adapter is adapted to bereleasably fitted to the primary fluid inlet at said first side. 12.Manifold apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which the primary fluidinlet is provided with a non-return valve when the inlet adapter isfitted thereon.
 13. Manifold apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in whichthe annular boss forming a part of the primary fluid inlet forms a valvechamber therein which is provided with an aperture at an inner endthereof, in which the inlet adapter is provided with a valve seat whichis disposed at an outer end of the valve chamber when the inlet adapteris fitted to the primary fluid inlet, and in which a valve member isdisposed in the valve chamber.
 14. Manifold apparatus as claimed inclaim 13 in which the valve member comprises a shuttle held against thevalve seat by a coil spring, in which the coil spring is held incompression inside the valve chamber between the primary fluid inlet andthe inlet adapter.
 15. Manifold apparatus as claimed in claim 14 inwhich the inlet adapter is adapted to fit to a solenoid valve devicewith which the manifold apparatus is used, at its second side thereof.16. Manifold apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which the plurality offluid adapters each comprise a hose tail adapted to be fitted to a hoseline with which the manifold apparatus is used.
 17. Manifold apparatusas claimed in claim 16 in which the plurality of fluid adapters comprisefluid adapters with hose tails of different sizes.
 18. Manifoldapparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which the manifold body is providedwith mounting means adapted to allow it to be mounted to a surface. 19.(canceled)